₦airaland Forum

Last month, I celebrated my 14th year entrepreneurship anniversary. It's been a 1.4 decades of late nights, working weekends, reading, studying, researching, intentional networking with talented people across cities, organisations and towns, fostering relationships, relentless inter city and intra city traveling with myriads of highs and lows that define the life of an entrepreneur.

Running a business is a journey of joy and pain, but for some of us, the siren song of entrepreneurship cannot be silenced. We try, we succeed, we fail, we stand, we dust ourselves, we move on to the next tasks.

If you're in the early stage of starting or currently in the trenches of growing your business, please listen to me carefully. It's not like a walk in the park. You will be disappointed, depressed, break into pieces.

You will be offended, pressured, insulted, scammed, lose friends, money, get into debt, misunderstood and labelled names. Your sanity will be questioned, your integrity will be tested. Your morality will also be scrutinized and your greed will be assessed.

These here are top ten pieces of advice I have for you based on my own personal experience. Kindly treat with utmost seriousness because these lessons never come easily.

Your financial mastery starts here. Only for the ambitious and the disciplined Maybe you started your business because you love what you do. As the new owner of a business, you've signed yourself up for dozens of new jobs, most of which are not directly related to what you have been used to. You need to manage people, make sales, manage accounts, track finances, create operations, and a million other little things. You need to have an understanding of how each piece of the business operates so that you can train others, hire the best people and help your team identify problems.

Get a support network Being an entrepreneur is a grind. A serious grind at that. How are you going to get through those stretches of doubt and difficulty without your support network? Your family, friends, mentors and partners are crucial to maintaining mental stability. Surround yourself with people you can open up to and who you trust. Guidance and support are everything.

Hire people smarter than you Business is like a team sport, not a one-man band. Your business should not be the "you" show. Your job is to find the absolute best people, who can do every aspect of the job better than you can. You set the tone, but your team should feel they have a stake and a say in the work product, culture and output. If you don't trust your team to make smart decisions, then you've assembled the wrong crew.

Drive Sales like though your Life depends on it Sales are the lifeblood of every business. Without constant revenue, your business will cease to exist. As a business owner, it is your responsibility to ensure your business generates revenue. Sales won't just happen, especially for a new business. In the first few years of owning a business, you should be aggressively looking for customers. Identify prospects, send unsolicited WhatsApp messages, send personal notes, write mails if you can, attend every networking event possible. You'll eventually put together a dedicated team to device and other advertising tactics.

Have a vision, but be nimble As a business owner, you lay out the vision that dictates where your business is headed. You define what success is. Your team cannot achieve a goal they are unaware of. Start with the end in mind and create a five-year plan to make those actionable goals a reality. Have a vision, but be able to pivot if the market demands. You can't always control market conditions, competition, or external factors. Sometimes your initial hypothesis just doesn't work out, and you need to have the ability to change.

You should always be learning Learning should be your addiction. While the fundamentals of your business may stay the same, the technology, tools, your audience, audience expectations and competition are always changing. You need to be leading in learning, and not falling behind. More importantly, foster a team culture that encourages learning and an enthusiasm for personal growth.

Differentiate yourself In a world overloaded with messaging, content, notifications and interruptions, you need to differentiate yourself. You need to be remarkable. Position your business so that every consumer touchpoint consists of a unique and meaningful experience.

Be a leader, not a follower Running a successful business is not a passive experience. You can't sit back and let it happen. You need to be a leader who motivates your employees, customers, and partners. You need to lead without overwhelming others. Let others be heard and encourage participation, but the final decision is yours. You are going to be making thousands of decisions on a weekly basis. Act decisively. Act intelligently. Be willing to take calculated risks. 

Become a Resourceful Person People love having “a guy” (or girl) that solves problems. Need a manufacturer? I’ve got a guy. Need a lawyer? I’ve got a guy. People recommend the individual who shares, helps, and provides value. On the other hand, people don’t recommend the person who is constantly taking and not giving, constantly pitching and trying to close you.

Make friends, the most important part Entrepreneurship can be a lonely endeavor. Connect with as many entrepreneurs, C-level executives, and leaders as possible. Not only will you be able to share experiences, insight, and advice, but these meaningful relationships can lead to fruitful business opportunities. Just be sure to focus on relationships, not transactions.

Your financial mastery starts here. Only for the ambitious and the disciplined.

meobizy:
Fascinating story. Source: trust me, bro.

Humans are dead and I don’t care. Thousands were born yesterday and the same today. They were replaced a second after their demise.

This comment is loaded but many won't read deeper meaning into it

blacksam01:
If u believe in God, then here is the reason we are here :

In the past , there was no human, only powerful spirits... They are ranked according to their influence.. the one of perceived highest influence is called God.

Now God, has alot of ppl who adore him and follow him, he cares for them, but because there were so much.. all in spirits oo.. he assigned roles to lower influencial spirits to guide them non stop,..

Note: even the lower influencial are also more powerful and influencial that God's worshippers.. with time, the lower influencial spirits whom the followers see more often started being worshiped by Gods followers.. this got God angry at both his followers and his subject lower influencial spirits...

Other lower influencial spirits whom still side with God in this confusion , in anger , attacked the break away spirits.. then there was war in heaven..

God then wanted to destroy both his worshipers and the rebellious spirits... Then something happened, the rebellious spirits taunted God telling him he is forcing the followers to like him by force, that they already worships them and not him, and challenge God saying if you thing otherwise , subject them to test of choice of preference...

He still didn't want such challenge, but his loyal subjects thought it wise.. ND he sought a place outside the heavens to start that challenge...

He, one by one through creation and later through pro creation by birth is sending every member of his multitude worshipers to earth to live and die.. all in their lifetime, to make just one decision of where each one stands.. btw God and his rebellious fellow spirits...

So your life is a mirror of ur believe, and your inner believe will be judged when u die and return to where he slated for judgement...

He also doesn't want to finish off his spirit opponents till the birth of all the multitude of his followers (who are fmrly spirit, but now human ) are introduced into the world...

Now you get, why you are here...?

False! God is god! Whatever name you call him.it.her doesn't matter. S/he's just there. And energy, like an air..... abundant everywhere. You may choose to engage it/him/her in whatever dimensions you like depending on what spiritual approach you want.

ZombieDredd:
Life is meaningful with Jesus Christ as Saviour and Lord.

If our hope is in this world , we are of all men most miserable (1 corinthians 15;19)

Jesus is the only one that can give assurance of a sure life in eternity after death

Unfortunately, there's no eternity. It all starts and ends here. You are born, you live give birth to others and die....then repeat the cycle.

ZombieDredd:
it is appointed unto men once to die, and after that judgement by God almighty who created you in the first place.
Hebrews 9:27-28.

you do not live in a continous loop and will give account of every thing you have done or spoken on earth one day.

Oga, forget scripture! That Jewish history book was writing by mere human beings like you and I. Don't rely solely on it for consultation at all time.

gift2xl:
Has anyone experience this, there are places you go and it seems you've visited that place before, but you can't gather the information it just flash to you.

Yeah....that phenomenon has a name, I think it's called Dejavu or something. It's just appear like you have had that experience before meanwhile it's actually your first time there.

Your financial mastery starts here. Only for the ambitious and the disciplined.

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This still holds true

This man called Tinubu knows exactly what he is doing. Only that there's no human face to his policies and he doesn't care wether Nigerians are dying or not.

People have been made to believe marriage is some divine decree, written in the stars or sealed by the heavens. It is not. Marriage is simply people deciding to live together under a shared agreement. That’s all. No cosmic stamp. No eternal law. Just an arrangement that humans created.

But over time, it was dressed in rules, rituals, and pressures—until refusing to marry became a mark of shame. Many now enter marriage without knowing themselves, without even asking whether they can coexist with anyone long-term. And yet, we keep pretending it’s the natural order of things.

Marriage may help build pockets of society, but it does not, on its own, raise children. A community raises children. A society raises children. Marriage has merely been inflated into a badge of responsibility, so that avoiding it makes you “irresponsible.” That is a lie we have swallowed for generations.

You must ask yourself—do I actually want to marry, or am I just ticking a box the culture handed me? Age, money, tradition—none of these are reasons. Marriage is not compulsory. It is not sacred. It is not divine. It is human—fragile, flawed, and entirely optional.

Softmirror:
I agree with Peter Obi on this 1,000,000% Justice must be fair but then Obi's double standard when it comes to over looking the evil deeds in Anambra most especially makes what he is saying meaningless.

What do you think could be the reason for such double standard?

Jeweltz:
But why did he asked me if I was in any relationship ? Which I clearly told him I’m not. I knew he liked what he saw he was just being a coward and shying away from responsibility. Men don’t even need to be rich these days as women are just looking for a responsible man to marry and not necessarily rich

"Men don’t even need to be rich these days as women are just looking for a responsible man to marry and not necessarily rich"

This is true.

PerfectStranger:
But all your topics here are about rich men and hatred on broke men. Shey u dey whine yur nípple ni?

I love this

pansophist:
Did he actually "begged" for your number? Lol.

Like say your number na job, or presidential nomination to be begged for.

Anyways, some men do ask for number for the thrill of it. Also, a subset of men prefer that the lady show interest since she has his number, then he can take it forward.

such men understands that chasing women is an exercise in futility because if she likes you, it will feel so seamless and without stress.

They also don't know the calibre and amount of men you're comparing him against, so no point to humiliate himself with showering her with attention when she hasn't even played her own part.

Women choose men, and such men won't force you to choose them. They let nature takes its natural course, and they accept if you choose other men in your options.

The idea that playing hard-to-get makes a man keep chasing is a rule that works for men that don't want to give anything, but take something.

A man that brings commitment, provision, protection and leadership won't be begging or pursuing a woman when he is a figure of light. A representation of God in her life.

An evolved good man will show signs, with the hope she respond, and if she ain't responding, he just cut off. Men's Intentionality comes with interest from her firstly.

But since you called and he didn't return your call, then let him go. Don't go and suffer unnecessarily because you won't accept reality by justifying his disinterest with something palatable to your feelings.


Delusion has a price, and the price is avoidable suffering. Move on.

"Delusion has a price, and the price is avoidable suffering. Move on" Words on Mable.

free2ryhme:
So all these epistle just to tell us Jonathan wants to contest 2027, are you hungry

Like seriously! Almost got tired of the endless scrolling

One of the greatest American Presidents, Abraham Lincoln, served only four years, yet his legacy endures as a model of principled leadership. Another iconic figure, John F. Kennedy, did not even complete a full term, yet his vision and ideals continue to inspire generations. In Africa, Nelson Mandela, revered globally as a symbol of justice and reconciliation, chose to serve only one term as President of South Africa, despite immense public pressure to stay longer. His decision was a deliberate act of leadership, a statement that power must serve the people, not the self. Indeed, history shows that the longer many African leaders remain in power, the more likely they are to be corrupted by it. Longevity in office is not a mark of success; rather, it is purposeful, accountable service - however brief - that defines true statesmanship.

It is within this context that I reiterate my vow: I will serve only one term of four years if elected President. And that vow is sacrosanct.

I am fully aware that the decay in our society has made trust one of the scarcest and most sceptically viewed commodities. Many Nigerians, understandably, no longer take politicians at their word. But even in this climate of cynicism, there are still a few whose actions have matched their words - whose integrity is built on verifiable precedent.

Recently, I became aware of two statements aimed, albeit indirectly, at my vow to serve only a single four-year term. One person remarked that even if I swore by a shrine, I still wouldn’t be believed. Another suggested that anyone talking about doing only one term should undergo psychiatric evaluation.

I understand the basis of their scepticism. They are judging me by their own standards - where political promises are made to be broken. But they forget, or perhaps choose to ignore, that Peter Obi is not cut from that cloth. I have a verifiable track record that speaks louder than speculation.

In my political life, my word is my bond. When I entered politics in Anambra State, I made clear and measurable promises to the people: to improve education and healthcare, to open up rural areas through road construction, and to manage public funds with prudence. I fulfilled each of those promises without deviation. I did not swear by a shrine, nor have I been certified mentally unstable as a result of honouring my word.

My vow to serve only one term of four years is a solemn commitment, rooted in my conviction that purposeful, transparent leadership does not require an eternity.

If making such a promise qualifies me for psychiatric evaluation, then we may as well question the mental fitness of those who framed our Constitution, which clearly stipulates a four-year renewable tenure.

I maintain without equivocation: if elected, I will not spend a day longer than four years in office. In fact, I believe that service should be impactful, not eternal.

We must rebuild trust in our country. I have dedicated my public life to demonstrating that leadership with integrity is not a myth. I have done it before, and I do not intend to betray that trust under any circumstances.

Forty-eight months is enough for any leader who is focused and prepared to make a meaningful difference. In that time, I intend not merely to make an impression, but to deliver on concrete promises to:

sanitise our governance system;
tackle insecurity through effective and accountable use of national resources; prioritise education, healthcare, and poverty alleviation;
catalyse small businesses as engines of growth ; and combat corruption with unflinching resolve.

Above all, I will dedicate myself to transforming Nigeria from a consuming nation into a productive one, where agriculture, technology, and manufacturing replace rent-seeking and waste as our national anchors.

These are not utopian dreams. They are realistic, actionable goals that are achievable within four years.

A new Nigeria is POssible. -PO

This is a good development. Governor Oyebanji has done well in his first term, and a second term will allow him to consolidate on his achievements. His focus on good governance and a peaceful primary process is a positive sign for Ekiti State. Congratulations to good people of Ekiti State.

Sharpsharp00123:
Oya now


After Atiku collect ticket shebi your eye go clear

The strategy goes beyond established party structure. It can thrive under any political party in as much as it has Peter Obi's face, more reason why I didn't mention any political party but Obidients.

How much is the value of the cup please... I want to know the economic importance of the cup and awards.


$10m?

Starz825:
You get...

As handsomeness no dey pay bills


I think the op is somewhat right...he stated the obvious tho

This is the summary...


As you get older into your thirties...

You already entering into full adulthood....

Your fine boy/girl...bad boy/girl stuffs... isn't the most important anymore...


What you're bringing to the table...is all that matters .. to your romantic partner


Unlike back in school days when you were so young...no responsibilities... nothing....just the looks and small English speaking skills will do..


And this goes to both gender....as a lady sef...Most men no wan marry 30 yr old liability again.....what are you bringing to table....no be sheybi I am fine na...

No be your beauty go help take care of me and the kids ...

Op is saying you have to be more than just your look at that age 30+..you got to have substance that stands out before anyone can notice you.... especially for a man

Better put. You could have written the post yourself!!! Much appreciated.

This is a comprehensive political mobilization strategy I designed to expand the Obidient Movement's reach to solidify its grassroots infrastructure across Nigeria. Let me know what you think at the end

The core of the plan is to embark on a national, six-week mobilisation tour, dubbed the "Obidient National Invasion," with the objective of recruiting, building and empowering local leadership of the Obidient Movement.


National Tour and Visibility: The strategy calls for Peter Obi and the Obidient leadership to conduct a meticulously planned tour of all 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT). The tour would be segmented by region, with one region visited each week, to maximize media attention and public engagement. This highly visible and intensive effort will be intended to create significant national momentum which should be done before the presidential campaign.

Grassroots Leadership Development: A primary goal of the "Obidient National Invasion" will be to formalize and empower grassroots leadership. During each state visit, zonal and local leaders would be officially inaugurated and tasked with spearheading the recruitment of contestants down to the ward level. This approach will help to build a strong base of support from the ground up leading to a robust, decentralized, and highly organized organizational structure.

Targeted Outreach: There will be a focused approach on key states, particularly in the northern regions. Giving extra attention to states like Kano, Kaduna and Kastina, with multiple constituency visits planned to directly engage with local communities. The underlying belief is that Peter Obi's political ideologies and message of good governance can resonate strongly with voters in these areas.


Branding and Messaging: The project name should be tagged "Obidient National Invasion" and a compelling tagline, like "Rig and Get Rigged." Should be appended on the brand name.

This messaging will be designed to be both memorable and to underscore the movement's commitment to electoral integrity and a fair political process and to also draw to the consciousness of the incumbent who will be bent on rigging the next election with state political apparatus like INEC and The Judiciary of the impending doom which shall befall them when if they try to rig the election.


In essence, this will serve as a strategic blueprint for transforming the Obidient Movement from a primarily social media-driven phenomenon into a formidable, on-the-ground political force with a clear chain of command and a national mandate.

I believe with this well-thought-out plan that touches on many key aspects of political strategy, the Obidient Movement will definitely make a huge inroad into the North and become a formidable force waiting to clinch power from the incumbent.

Mods:

Mynd 44

Lalasticlala

Mukina 2

Dominique

bigpriik:
op which planet you dey live? I will just say you have low self esteem which is why nobody loves for who you are, how can someone love when you don't even love yourself .
your 30s is the most attractive period of your life as a man as both younger and older women will want to date and Marry you,I discovered that I attract ladies more now I am in my 30s that in my 20s sometimes I ask what changed.

That's the problem. You're attracting them now because they need you not that they love you. Read in between the lines. They need your money, help, assistance, advice, guidance, and even your emotional support. It's not Love. They are in it for what they can gain. Don't get it twisted. You weren't attractive to them before because you did't have enough of all these qualities.


And as for you to give them that chance is because you need them for pleasure, companionship, support, easing off etc...its all about NEED based relationship when you turn 30!

Diamond098454:
oooohhhh it's natural for a man to cheat? Wow, I thank God things has changed now.

Evolutionary speaking yes, it's natural for men to cheat...but society with their customs and traditions have increasingly demonised that tendencies in men. Look at other sister creatures to men like the primates without superimposed cultures, the creatures goes around doing their things without limits and nobody is giving a hoot about them. That's how men supposed be.

By the way, people call it cheating, the real name should be craving.

koladata:
This mainly applies to Nigerians who don’t prioritize fitness. If you take care of your body and stay active, even after 30, you can still look very attractive and well put together.

While OP might be partly true, but it’s not the full story if you ask every man above 30. Many women are naturally drawn to older partners, and some even find them more appealing than younger guys and this has nothing to do with money... growing up, my immediate elder sister won't date you if you are not above 30, she believes younger guys plays lot of games and for some other weird reasons, she prefers the matured mustaches and stuffs, this my sister later got married immediately after university , she didn't even serve before the 35 year old Banker married her as a virgin.

Now, here is another surprise: do you know that some women actually find pot bellies attractive! And it’s not always because they assume those men are richer. For a few, it’s simply a personal preference, maybe a unique attraction or "fetish" that draws them to men with that body type.

Me personally, i've got more younger ladies when clocked 30 than i did when i was in my 20s, and trust me it has nothing to do with money.

Beautifully put. The last part got me thinking seriously. Don't you think you're getting more younger ladies now that you are 30+ because you can offer them more? More knowledge, better insights and advisory, maturity, comportment, patience etc these things are really not money, however they bring stability to relationships.....don't you think those are part of the abstract benefits they are drawned to without them knowing it? Think of your sister as a case study.

Let's not forget, what I mean when I made that post is that once people turn 30, they start dating for benefits not explicitly LOVE like in the real sense of the tingling emotional feelings that gets people take irrational decisions.

One of the most important friendship in my life began during my early years in the University. We started out just hanging out with mutual friends, but soon we were together all the time; working out and spending hours at the cafeteria. I remember calling her one night, crying, and we spent hours talking through everything that was bothering me. She was the very first person I ever came out to.

Later, she started dating one of my other friends, and they both began to drift away. At the same time, I was getting into a serious relationship of my own. Gradually, as my new romance grew, hers was ending. I was so caught up in my own life that I completely missed the signs of how much she was hurting. I was self-absorbed, and I let our friendship fade.

There wasn't a big fight or a dramatic moment that ended things. We just slowly grew apart. I still think of her as an important person in my life, even though we rarely talk or see each other these days. Although we might exchange texts now and then, but we haven't seen each other in months, even though we live in the same city. It feels like we're states apart. I still care deeply for her because I believe true friendship isn't about how often you see someone; it's about knowing you could call them at three o'clock in the morning and they'd be there for you.

You eventually realize that some connections in your life can't be fully repaired. One day, you'll go through something that completely changes your perspective, and you'll find your values and interests no longer match those of the people around you. Friendships aren't meant to stay exactly the same.

You have to be willing to let people go when they leave your life. Sometimes, letting go is a necessary part of your own personal growth. People sometimes move on so they can figure out who they are without you, and you can figure out who you are without them.

Friendships are not meant to be static. People come and go from our lives, sometimes to discover who they are without us, and sometimes so we can discover who we are without them. When friendship fades, you have to be willing to let it go.

If a friend does come back into your life, don’t expect things to be exactly how they used to be. You'll both be different people. The previous understanding you had might be gone. But if they do return, be open to the possibility of a new and beautiful bond forming between you. Don't try to force things to be as they once were. Instead, be open to an entirely new experience.

budaatum:
Looks like Devakumar is a builder, and not a manager. Different skills set.

Sad though, that Dangote could not find a Nigerian.

There's nothing sad about it. Many Nigerians who play for big clubs wouldn't have make name for themselves if the club owners are focused on getting players from their country. In the game of entrepreneurship, talent matters more than anything else. Dangote doesn't care if the cat is white or black in as much as it catches mice.